Kolkata: In a significant advancement in chest wall surgery, Narayana Health’s Narayana RN Tagore Hospital has successfully performed the Pectus Up procedure on a 10-year-old child suffering from Pectus Excavatum, marking the first time the technique has been executed by an Indian surgical team within the country and the first in Northern and Eastern India.
The milestone establishes a new benchmark in minimally invasive chest wall correction and highlights India’s growing capability to adopt and perform globally advanced surgical innovations domestically.
Child Treated for Congenital Chest Deformity
The child had been living with pectus excavatum since birth. Initially perceived as a cosmetic concern, the condition gradually began causing functional complications such as chest discomfort and breathlessness during physical activity, according to his parents.
He was brought to the Outpatient Department of Dr. Manujesh Bandhopadhyay, Consultant – Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, where he underwent a comprehensive clinical evaluation.
A detailed diagnostic assessment was carried out, including chest X-ray, CT scan with Haller’s Index measurement, echocardiography and pulmonary function tests (PFT) to determine the severity of the deformity.
Following extensive evaluation and case deliberation, the medical team decided against the traditional Nuss procedure, which involves placing a metal bar inside the chest cavity near vital organs. Instead, doctors opted for the advanced titanium implant-based Pectus Up technique, which corrects the deformity externally.
Advanced Titanium Implant Technique
The surgery lasted around two hours and was completed without complications. In a remarkable recovery, the child was able to mobilise within the ICU just one hour after surgery and was discharged after five days of hospitalisation.
Unlike conventional methods, the Pectus Up procedure lifts and stabilises the sternum externally using a customised titanium implant fixed directly to the bone. The technique avoids entry into the pleural cavity and does not require lung deflation or thoracoscopy.
By eliminating intrathoracic bar placement, the procedure significantly reduces internal risks, post-operative pain and recovery time while ensuring precise anatomical correction and improved cosmetic outcomes.
The patient-specific titanium implant used in the surgery was imported from Spain and customised for the child. The procedure required close coordination with the overseas manufacturing team to ensure accurate design and timely delivery. Financial assistance for the specialised implant was provided by the Royal Government of Bhutan.
Doctors Highlight Surgical Milestone
Commenting on the achievement, Prof. (Dr.) Amitabha Chakrabarti, Senior Consultant and Lead – Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Kolkata Cluster, said the success reflected the coordinated effort of the entire surgical team.
“This achievement is not about one surgeon. It represents the collective strength, planning and coordination of our Thoracic and Vascular Surgery team. From pre-operative evaluation to intra-operative precision and post-operative care, every member contributed to making this milestone possible. Performing the Pectus Up procedure as the first Indian team in the country and the first time in Northern and Eastern India demonstrates what collaborative expertise can achieve,” he said.
Dr. Manujesh Bandhopadhyay explained that the decision to use the advanced titanium implant-based technique was taken to minimise internal risk.
“When the child presented with chest discomfort and breathlessness, we conducted a detailed evaluation and decided to avoid the traditional intrathoracic bar technique. The Pectus Up procedure corrects the deformity externally without placing a bar near the heart or lungs. This reduces internal risk, minimises pain and allows faster recovery. Seeing the child walk comfortably within an hour after surgery reaffirmed this decision,” he said.
Hospital Leadership Applauds Innovation
Hospital leadership described the procedure as a defining moment for advanced surgical care in the country.
Abhijit C. P., Director and Cluster Head – Kolkata and Corporate Growth Initiative, Narayana Health East, said the achievement reflects the institution’s commitment to bringing cutting-edge medical technologies to patients in India.
“This is a defining moment for advanced chest wall surgery in India. Performing the Pectus Up procedure for the first time in Northern and Eastern India by an Indian surgical team within the country reflects our commitment to bringing global surgical innovations closer to patients,” he said.
R. Venkatesh, Group Chief Operating Officer, Narayana Health, added that innovations in healthcare must translate into better outcomes for patients.
“At Narayana Health, innovation is meaningful only when it results in safer procedures and faster recovery for patients. Successfully executing the Pectus Up procedure in India ensures families can access world-class minimally invasive chest wall correction without travelling abroad,” he said.
With this landmark procedure, Narayana RN Tagore Hospital has reinforced its position as a centre for advanced thoracic surgery and innovative minimally invasive treatments in Eastern India.
